The routes described on this page are a great place to start for folks who have done some long hikes or have a regular exercise routine and want an extra challenge, or for those that have climbed a bit already and want to learn more. Most routes involve non-technical climbing on low angle snow and ice, glaciers and some easy rock scrambling. Ropes are required for safety on the glaciers and for short exposed sections. The trips generally involve an overnight, either in a mountain hut or camping.

Prices include guiding fees, food, hut/camping fees, most technical climbing and camping gear and tax.

Read on and pick a route! Feel free to contact me for more information.

Mt Athabasca (3491 m/11,450 ft), Columbia Icefields

Mt Athabasca is the most accessible glaciated peak in North America. Located at the Columbia Icefields 150 km north of Lake Louise, it is many climbers' first experience in glaciated mountaineering and is achievable in most weather and snow conditions. The trip starts from Banff or Lake Louise where we meet and have a look through our equipment before making the drive up to the Icefields. The first afternoon we familiarise ourselves with our equipment by going for a short walk on the toe of the Athabasca Glacier, one of the great rivers of ice descending from the Icefield. We practice walking with crampons and ice axe and using the rope. The next morning, after a night spent at the car campground, we make a very early start to ensure the firmest snow conditions on the route. We begin our ascent by walking up a trail through the moraines before gaining the glacier. A stroll up the ice and snow of the glacier leads us to the final summit ridge. On top we have exceptional views of icefields and peaks stretching off in all directions. Descent is by the same route.

Difficulty: Walking on rocky ground and on snow and ice. Two short exposed sections. Strenuous, expect 10-12 hours of steady travel. This trip is appropriate for anyone who is motivated and has a regular fitness routine.
Trip length: One and a half days, car camping (hotel option available)
Season: June through September
Price: Includes guiding fee, most climbing equipment. Some camping equipment equipment available if required (tent). Take 10% off during the low season (before July 1 and after September 7). Price does not include food, camping fees or 5% GST tax.
1 person - C$675
2 people - C$365 per person
3 people - C$260 per person    
4 people - C$210 per person
Catered option: Add $35 per person.
Contact me on pricing for larger groups    

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The President (3138 m/10,293 ft) and the Yoho Valley

The President is a lovely glaciated peak in the Little Yoho Valley. Our base is the >> Stanley Mitchell Hut, the quintessential Canadian log cabin set in beautiful meadows near treeline. This is a 3 day trip; on the first day we do an equipment check before making the 30 minute drive from Lake Louise and starting our hike into the cabin. Once there we can get settled into the cabin before heading a short way further up the valley to get views of our proposed route. After a comfortable night in the cabin we get an early start and make our way up the north glacier to a broad pass between the President and the Vice President. From there it is a jaunt up the ridge to the summit. Descent is the same way. On the third day we have two options: motivated climbers can get up early again and make another ascent, heading up Mt McArthur on the other side of the valley before heading back to the car down the regular trail; or we can make a longer, more scenic high line trek back to the parking lot via the Iceline Trail after a leisurely morning sleep in.

Difficulty: About 4 hours hiking on a well maintained trail to get to and from the hut with an overnight pack weighing 12-15 kg/25-35 lbs. The summit day consists of walking on rocky ground and on snow and ice, expect 8-10 hours of traveling. This trip is for those who have done some hiking before. Families may find it a good trip for motivated teen-agers.
Trip length: 3 days
Season: June through September
Price: Includes guiding fee, most climbing equipment, hut fees, park backcountry fees and food. Take 10% off during the low season (before July 1 and after September 7). Price does not include 5% GST tax.
1 person - C$1545
2 people - C$925 per person
3 people - C$725 per person     
4 people - C$625 per person    
Contact me on pricing for larger groups  

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Mt Hector (3394 m/11,132 ft) near Lake Louise

This is a 2 day camping trip to ascend a distinctive mountain visible from many spots near Lake Louise and along the Icefields Parkway. On the first day we meet in Banff or Lake Louise and check equipment before heading to our starting point, which is a 20 minute drive from Lake Louise. A half day hike brings us to a beautiful campsite in a meadow below the Hector Glacier. After setting up camp we go to the base of the glacier to familairize ourselves with the gear. We will practice walking with crampons and ice axe and using the rope. The next morning we get an early start and ascend the glacier to the peak. Most of t he route involves just walking but the last short bit consists of steeper terrain where we will climb a short, low angle pitch of snow or ice using the rope for protection. Descent is by the same route.

Difficulty: The hike to and from camp will take about 4 hours and is over rough ground with no trail. You will be carrying an overnight pack of about 15 kg/35 lbs. The climb consists of walking over rocky ground, snow and ice carrying a lighter pack. There is a short bit of steeper snow or ice near the top, but is still only steep walking. The summit is exposed. This trip is for fit people who have done some backpacking before.
Trip length: 2 days
Season: June through September
Price: Includes guiding fee, most climbing and camping equipment, park backcountry fees, and food. Take 10% off during the low season (before July 1 and after September 1). Price does not include 5% GST tax.
1 person - C$960
2 people - C$560 per person
3 people - C$425 per person   
4 people - C$360 per person 
Contact me on pricing for larger groups    

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The Wapta Icefield, Mt Olive (3130 m/10,266 ft) or Mt Gordon

This is a great beginners mountaineering trip based out of a hut. After checking gear in the morning we drive 30 minutes north of Lake Louise to the trailhead. A half-day hike brings us to the comfortable >> Bow Hut on the edge of the Bow Glacier and the Wapta Icefield. In the afternoon we practice using our climbing gear on the edge of the glacier to prepare us for our climb. The next day we are up early and walk across the icefield and climb the glacier and gentle rock ridge of Mt Olive (or the easy snow slopes of Gordon) to the summit where we have great views of the Rockies and the Selkirk Mountains. Descent is the same way. On the third day we can climb a small peak just above the hut before heading back to the valley.

Difficulty: 4-6 hours hiking on a good trail to get to and from the hut with an overnight pack weighing 12-15 kg/25-35 lbs. To get to the summit expect walking on rocky ground, snow and ice. The full day of climbing and descending back to the road will take about 10 hours of traveling. This trip is for those who have done some hiking before.
Trip length: 3 days
Season: June through September
Price: Includes guiding fee, most climbing equipment, hut fees, park backcountry fees and food. Take 10% off during the low season (before July 1 and after September 7). Price does not include 5% GST tax.
1 person - C$1545
2 people - C$925 per person
3 people - C$725 per person     
4 people - C$625 per person   
Contact me on pricing for larger groups

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The Bugaboos

The Bugaboos are a special place, granite spires soaring out of glaciers with green forested valleys below. Although the Bugs are known for their steep rock climbing routes there are plenty of moderate mountaineering objectives as well, from rocky scrambles to easy glacier ascents. This trip starts with a 3 hour drive from Banff or Lake Louise to the trailhead. A 4 hour walk takes us to the >> Kain Hut where we base ourselves. The next day we pick a route and go climbing! There are several options, from the glaciated Howser Peak to a pleasant easy rock climb up Cresent Spire. On the last day of the trip we can climb again before heading back to the car or we can take a incredibly scenic high line trail over a couple of passes and past Cobalt Lake to get back to the road.

Difficulty: The approach trail is well maintained but is steep, you will need to walk this with an overnight pack weighing about 12-15 kg/25-35 lbs and it will take 3-4 hours. The climbs are of a variable length, expect up to 8 hours of travel time to the peak and back, depending on what route we choose.
Trip length: 3 days
Season: June through September
Price: Includes guiding fee, most climbing equipment, hut fees, park backcountry fees and food. Take 10% off during the low season (before July 1 and after September 7). Price does not include 5% GST tax.
1 person - C$1585
2 people - C$930 per person
3 people - C$730 per person     
4 people - C$625 per person  
Contact me on pricing for larger groups   

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Rogers Pass - Leda Peak

Rogers Pass, a 2 hour drive west from Lake Louise, is the birthplace of North American mountaineering and climbing options abound. This trip takes us to the comfortable >> Asulkan Hut for a night, after a half day's walk from the trailhead. Once at the hut we will practice a bit with our climbing gear in prepartion for the next day's climb.  In the morning we get an early start and ascend the Asulkan Glacier to Asulkan Pass and then climb th e southeast ridge of Leda Peak. Descent is by the same route and we stop off at the hut to pick up our overnight gear before heading back down to the valley.

Difficulty: The approach trail is well maintained but is steep, you will need to walk this with an overnight pack weighing about 12-15 kg/25-35 lbs and it will take 4-5 hours. The route to the summit will take about 5 hours up and down, walking on rocky ground, snow and ice.
Trip length: 2 days
Season: June through September
Price: Includes guiding fee, most climbing equipment, hut fees, park backcountry fees and food. Take 10% off during the low season (before July 1 and after September 7). Price does not include 5% GST tax.
1 person - C$995
2 people - C$635 per person
3 people - C$460 per person     
4 people - C$395 per person
Contact me on pricing for larger groups    

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